UK COVID Briefing 27th Jan 2021 

I saw this one coming. 2 big announcements:

- some arrivals to the UK will have to stay in 'Quarantine Hotels'. These are commonplace worldwide, you have to pay yourself, and it keeps closer tabs on what you're up to. Initially it seems it will be for countries designated 'hotspots'.

- schools will not be going to back to being open to all pupils for in-person learning until at least 8th March 

UK Data:
Cases 3,715,054 (+25,308)
Losses of life within 28 days of a positive test result 101,887 (+1,725)
In-patients 37,605 (25th Jan)
People using a ventilator 3,961 (26th Jan)
Vaccinations 1st dose 7,164,387
Fully vaccinated 474,156
Losses of life with COVID on the death certificate 103,602 (15th Jan)

Today's UK briefing was with Boris, Patrick Vallance and Jonathan Van Tam.

Boris started by saying he shares the frustration, stress and anxiety of teachers, parents and students. The ambition IS to get children back to school as soon as possible, but we only want to open schools when we can be sure it won't cause a huge surge in cases. Then Boris tells us schools are safe - then follows with 'by definition they bring together many households'.
(I think we all realise just how 'safe' it is possible to make UK schools, and it's not ideal.)

Boris talks about the number of people in hospital and the pressure on the NHS. We have reported our second highest ever daily loss of life today.
He says we need to see lowering of cases, hospitalisations, and the effect of the vaccines before we can begin to talk about easing restrictions.

 COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 25th / 26th January 2021.

We have some incredibly sad milestones today.
The UK has now officially lost over 100,000 people to COVID (that's likely to be around 117,000 in reality due to reporting lags).
The world has lost over 2 million people to COVID (2,157,652)
Over 100 million cases have been reported (100,551,052)

UK Cases: 3,689,746 (+20,089)
Losses of life 100,162 (+1,631)
Hospitalisations 37,561 (on 24th Jan)
Using a ventilator 4,032 (on 25th Jan)
Single dose of a vaccine: 6,853,327
Fully vaccinated: 472,446

Rep. Of Ireland 188,923 cases and 2,977 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

"It’s hard to compute the sorrow contained in that grim statistic. The years of life lost."
Boris Johnson, UK Prime Minister.

Today's ONS (Office for National Statistics) figures up to 15th January 2021 are indeed grim statistic:
"Of all deaths registered in Week 2 (8-15 Jan), 40.2% mentioned COVID-19; this is the highest proportion of deaths involving COVID-19 that has been recorded during the pandemic."
From the beginning of 2020 onwards:
"Using the most up-to-date data we have available, the number of deaths up to 15 January 2021 was 649,889, which is 84,809 more than the five-year average. Of the deaths registered by 15 January 2021, 94,971 mentioned COVID-19 on the death certificate."

COVID UK News and Briefing 25th Jan 2021.

Vaccinations so far: 6,573,570 1 dose / 470,478 fully vaccinated
Cases: 3,669,658 (+22,195 today)
Losses of life: 98,531 (+592 today)
Hospital in-patients: 37,899
Ventilated people: 4,076

Today's UK briefing was with the reserve team. Matt Hancock, Health Minister, and alongside  Dr Jenny Harries, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (England), and Susan Hopkins of Public Health England. In the last week we've had 37,258 new cases each day on average.

Matt thanks NHS and emergency staff for their never ending effort, including ambulance staff who came forward to help Scotland at the weekend.

The rise in the number of cases is slowing, and falling in some places (Scotland. London).

As of last night 78.8% of over 80's have been vaccinated at least once.

Our worry is supply, we believe the NHS will be able to vaccinate people as quick as we can get vaccines. Right now supply is okay, but "tight" (there have been some world shortages of some components/syringes/glass vials). Today new vaccination centres opened at places including Blackpool Winter Gardens, the Francis Crick Institute and the Black Country Museum.

6.6m people have received a vaccine, over 1 in 9 of the adult population, more than 250 a minute over the last week.

Matt thanks the 80,000 people, including volunteers, who have made the vaccination programme work. Cheers guys!

He reminds us vaccination takes time to work, and we still aren't sure whether you'll be able to pass it on to other people. PLEASE continue to follow the rules even after you've been vaccinated.

He talks about the UK variant, and the other variants from Brazil and South Africa. We should be extra careful. There is evidence that they MAY be more deadly. There is mounting evidence they ARE more transmissible (catchy).

"We must be cautious. For all of us, our response must be extra careful. Stay at home, maintain social distancing. We've all frankly sacrificed too much, and it's so important that we protect lives. We're making progress with the vaccine. The end is in sight. We cannot put that progress at risk... There's a promise of better days that lie ahead. We have to hold our nerve and persevere through this difficult Winter. So, it's incumbent on us all, wherever possible, to Stay Home, Protect Lives, Save The NHS."

Public asked how close we are to herd immunity. Susan says 1 in 10 is far away from herd immunity. "We should not be focussing on catching the infection, and the consequences of that getting us out of this situation". (Go Susan!).
Jenny reminds us that we don't even know if immunity via catching COVID will be long-lasting.

Public asked if the Tiering will look the same in future - Susan says they'll look at hospitalisations, deaths etc (we have the highest number of people in hospital ever today, it's still rising, but more slowly). Tiering will be different if the science says so. 

First press asked "when will it end?". Matt is clearly so bored of the "are we nearly there yet?" and can't believe it's already occurring right now, when we're in the middle of the disaster. He honestly should just tell her "not yet" and move on to someone with a real question. Instead he again politely says it can't be guessed.
Jenny reiterates we are in the poo pile right now. Stop asking when it'll end. It's not today. She also says we need to think about increased admittance to hospital because of the cold and the ice, and we need to watch and see the effect of vaccination. 

Press asked about the new variants. Sue says we need to keep an eye on them - Moderna had a press release earlier today (see below) and all vaccines should work well against the UK variant, but data isn't yet ready to publish. They aren't seeing any problems in monitoring.
They are already working on building new vaccines against variations that we suspect might become prevalent.
Jenny says even if new variants affect vaccines, they shouldn't just suddenly render them useless, it'll just reduce efficacy.

Matt got a bit sniffy about someone calling B117 the "UK variant". He says he'd rather describe it as "the variant originally discovered in the UK". He can keep trying, but I think he's fighting a losing battle with that one... 

Several questions from press about the UK's travel bans and quarantines - there are rumours the UK is likely to introduce "quarantine hotels". They are commonplace worldwide and an easy way to keep tabs on new arrivals. Matt repeats several times that it's actually illegal to attempt to leave the UK without good reason. 

Press asked what proportion of people are turning down vaccination - it's tiny. It was around 1% last I saw. Matt doesn't seem to actually know, but he talks about Yateley in Hampshire, which has already vaccinated 98% of over 80's. He says he's thrilled, and thanks "serious UK media outlets" for their support. (Gosh, thanks Matt... ). Jenny thanks faith leaders for reassuring congregation, and explaining the vaccination to their communities. 

We see no signals that treatments are affected by the new variant. Dexamethasone and other therapeutics are still working at the same rate, and are effective at reducing mortality. Everyone who is admitted and needs oxygen receives Dexamethasone says Susan. 

Matt is asked about the 'United' Kingdom and advocates all staying together because we're stronger together. We have the 3rd fastest vaccine rollout in the world (1st is Israel - are supplying data to everyone worldwide, and 2nd is UAE - are bloody loaded). He says sharing of resources around the UK is a huge bonus and being united allows us to do this. 

I have a SCAM WARNING for you. No-one is being selected for vaccinations because of genetics or 'family history'.  If you get a test or email telling you so, it's fake. DON'T click on links, and definitely DON'T enter your details. Always remember - the NHS are not going to charge you for vaccination, and they already have your details. 

We are getting somewhere. Keep hope, and patience. Back tomorrow with the usual report... 

Thanks to https://twitter.com/RP131 for the charts. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 23rd / 24th January 2021.

The UK added 30,004 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,647,463 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 665,330 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 6,353,321 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night. 469,660 have been fully vaccinated.

37,899 people were in hospital on Thursday 21st, with 4,076 using a ventilator on Friday 22nd January.

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 610 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 97,939 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 186,184 cases and 2,947 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 99,537,514 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,134,426. Already 71,536,933 people have recovered.

It is a year ago yesterday that China put the residents of Wuhan under a lockdown that would officially last for 76 days, but for some people it lasted for months.
At the time it signalled to the world that this was really serious, but we also looked on in complete dumb shock. What a lot of world leaders didn't do, was watch and learn, and act. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update and UK Briefing 22nd January 2021.

The UK added 40,261 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,583,907 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 665,330 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 5,383,103 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, with 466,796 fully vaccinated. 

38,562 people were in hospital on Wednesday 20th, (78% higher than the first peak in April) with 3,960 using a ventilator yesterday, 21st January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,401 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 95,981 losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 184,279 (+2,357) cases and 2,870 (+52) losses of life. 

There have now been a total of 98,409,112 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,107,517. Already 70,706,296 people have recovered.

“One of the new things in this administration is that if you don’t know the answer, don’t guess. Just say you don’t know the answer.”
Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of the USA's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. (Welcome back.)

We do have some good news. Today's ONS data does suggest that for the first time in ages, the UK's overall R rate is below 1. It's assumed to be between 0.8-1.0. 

Right. We also have some bad news. There's little we can do about it and I can't sugar coat it, but paradoxically it may eventually lead to less overall losses of life in the UK at least. An investigative study by UK Government advisory group NERVTAG (New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group), has found that the UK variant does seem to be more lethal than the original COVID.
It appears to be around 1.3 fold more dangerous - so if 10 people would have succumbed to plain old COVID, 13 would succumb to the UK variant.
This is possibly also the case with the South African variant, and the Brazilian variant - which share some genetic mutations with the UK variant, despite developing completely separately.
This news will cause some worldwide concern - in the countries which do have UK variant (much of Europe, USA) and the countries which don't. It is seeming increasingly likely that travel between areas WITH COVID and areas WITHOUT COVID will get more and more difficult and restrictive, but possibly so will travel between areas with and without new variants. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 20th / 21st January 2021.

The UK added 37,892 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,543,646 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 640,856 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,973,248 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 464,036 are fully vaccinated. 

38,676 people were in hospital on 19th, with 3,953 using a ventilator yesterday, 20th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,290 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 94,580 losses of life in all settings.

Country / Cases / Losses of life / Losses of life per 100,000 population.
Wales 185,035 / 5,399 / 171.2
Scotland 168,219 / 7,070 / 129.4
Northern Ireland 98,351 / 1,975 / 104.3
England 3,092,041 / 81,379 / 144.6

Rep. Of Ireland 179,324 cases and 2,768 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 97,601,280 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,090,444. Already 70,097,292 people have recovered.

The latest REACT random study data for 6th to 15th January suggests in most English areas cases were still rising. We are still seeing the effects of Christmas, but with a 3 week old lockdown you'd hope for some positive signs. On 15th January more people in the UK had COVID than in mid December - not good news.
The hopeful news is that since the 15th Jan we are beginning to see daily reported cases drop, so fingers crossed that the last week made all the difference...
The main findings from the eighth REACT study (6-15 Jan) show:
- national prevalence increased by 50% from 0.91% in early December to 1.58%, or 158 out of every 10,000 people infected
- national R was estimated at 1.04
- regional prevalence was highest in London where it had more than doubled from 1.21% to 2.8%. It had also more than doubled in the South East (0.75% to 1.68%); East of England (0.59% to 1.74%); and West Midlands (0.71% to 1.76%). It increased in the South West (0.53% to 0.94%) and North West (0.92% to 1.41%). There was a decrease in Yorkshire and The Humber (1.39% to 0.84%). It was stable in the East Midlands (1.04% to 1.16%) and North East (1.26% to 1.18%)
- prevalence increased nationally in all adult age groups and was highest in 18 to 24 year olds at 2.51%. Prevalence in the over 65s more than doubled from 0.41% to 0.94% 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Update 18th / 19th January 2021

The UK added 33,355 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,466,849 positive cases of COVID-19. We completed 556,689 tests yesterday. 

The counter says 4,266,577 people had been given at least one dose of a vaccine in the UK by midnight last night, and 456,866 had received their second dose.  

37,946 people were in hospital on Sunday 17th, with 3,916 using a ventilator yesterday, 18th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 1,610 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days, making a total of 91,470 official losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 174,843 cases and 2,616 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 96,288,013 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,056,675. Already 68,860,956 people have recovered.

Face of the UK COVID response, Matt Hancock, who famously caught COVID as early as he could in the pandemic, is self-isolating after being alerted by the Test & Trace app. Remember that? Guess it's still live then. Wait. He's only got to isolate until Sunday? Guess Test &  Trace is live, but still pretty pants then.
As Matt doesn't have a frontline role and everything is shut, this may mean he wasn't careful, didn't socially distance and didn't attempt to protect the NHS. 

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK News and Briefing Update 18th January 2021.

"The development and approval of safe and effective vaccines less than a year after the emergence of a new virus is a stunning scientific achievement, and a much-needed source of hope.
Vaccines are the shot in the arm we all need - literally and figuratively.
The recent emergence of rapidly-spreading variants makes the rapid and equitable rollout of vaccines all the more important.
But we now face the real danger that even as vaccines bring hope to some, they become another brick in the wall of inequality between the world’s haves and have-nots.
It’s right that all governments want to prioritize vaccinating their own health workers and older people first.
But it’s not right that younger, healthier adults in rich countries are vaccinated before health workers and older people in poorer countries.
There will be enough vaccine for everyone. But right now, we must work together as one global family to prioritize those most at risk of severe diseases and death, in all countries."
Dr Tedros, Head of the World Health Organisation 

Yesterday the UK Government announced a £269m boost to the Social Care sector:
- New £120million fund for local authorities to boost staffing levels
- £149million grant system to support increased testing in care homes
The £120m fund for local authorities is in addition to the £149 million announced in December, which will be used to support rapid testing of staff testing and facilitate visits from family and friends where possible. All funding will be available from next month.
"Around 40 per cent of people aged 80 and over and a quarter of older care home residents have now received their first vaccine dose. By the end of next week we aim to have offered a jab to all care home residents and staff."

The UK Government has announced the invitations to have a vaccination are now being sent out to people over 70 and extremely clinically vulnerable people. 

The second week of May is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, and while I think we are all a lot more aware of how common mental health problems are, they're impossible to measure and rarely have a simple fix.

I'm working in a paid collaboration with Tempur, the people who make those incredibly comfortable squidgy mattresses, and they commissioned a Mental Health And Sleep Survey looking into the effect quality of sleep has on mental health and wellbeing. We all now know that our mental health is as important as our physical health and needs to be looked after, but how does sleep, and the quality or lack of it, affect us?


Physically, lack of good quality sleep gives us eye bags, it makes us crave carbohydrates and we store more fat. which can lead to weight gain. Among other things it affects growth hormones, testosterone and insulin levels, blood pressure and repair systems in the body. Not getting enough sleep can make you heavier and it can make you ill, and you'll stay ill for longer and find it harder to lose weight.

Mentally, lack of good quality sleep has a huge effect too. We know the obvious signs, we are tired, irritable and grumpy. Lack of sleep also makes it harder for us to learn and remember, it's responsible for lack of libido and motivation. We can feel hungry, clumsy and down, even depressed.

We've all been there, and those days that start like that never do seem to get any better...

COVID-19 Coronavirus UK and World News Weekend Update 16th / 17th January 2021.

The UK added 38,598 cases today and now has reported a total of 3,395,959 positive cases of COVID-19. 

Up until midnight last night we had vaccinated 3,857,266 people with at least their first dose. 

37,475 people were in hospital on Thursday 14th, with 3,789 using a ventilator on Friday 15th January. 

In the 24 hours up until 5pm yesterday, we officially reported the loss of another 671 people who have tested positive to COVID-19 within 28 days. We now very sadly have a total of 89,261 officially reported losses of life in all settings.

Rep. Of Ireland 169,780 cases and 2,595 losses of life. (Not yet reported today.) 

There have now been a total of 95,173,803 reported cases worldwide. The number of people who have lost their lives worldwide to COVID-19 is 2,034,893. Already 67,938,678 people have recovered.

“We are in the final stages of the coronavirus. Israel, with the scale of its vaccine drive, is showing the world that there is an exit strategy.”
Ronni Gamzu, Israel’s previous COVID Czar and the director of Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, after a clear drop in hospitalisations among immunised groups. 

I reckon UK studies have discovered something about how people are catching COVID, because the messaging is clearly changing. We are being reminded to wash our hands, and we are being asked not to handle anything in shops unless you intend to buy it. Remember kids "you look with your eyes".